SportsPulse: Our NFL experts make their final predictions on who's going to win Super Bowl LII. The real question is who's gutsy enough to take the Eagles.
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Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Corey Graham (24) celebrates after an interception during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field.(Photo: James Lang, USA TODAY Sports)

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- The big money is on the Philadelphia Eagles so far.

William Hill -- which operates more than 100 sportsbooks in Nevada and hundreds more worldwide -- has taken three bets on the Eagles of $1 million or more since Monday, the latest coming Friday afternoon. That $1 million money-line wager was made by the same bettor who placed a $1 million bet on the Eagles on Monday.

William Hill sports director Nick Bogdanovich told USA TODAY Sports “there is no explanation” to the rash of major bets placed ahead of Super Bowl LII on Sunday. William Hill, which has operated in Nevada since 2012, had only taken one previous bet of $1 million or more before this week: a $1.2 million wager on Floyd Mayweather in his bout against Conor McGregor in August.

“This is highly unusual,” Bogdanovich asid. “This game is crazy. Sports betting is at an all-time high and the economy is good. There’s a lot of interest in this game.”

ESPN also reported that MGM's sportsbook accepted a “multimillion” bet on the Eagles as well.

On Sunday afternoon, William Hill confirmed with USA TODAY Sports that a $1 million money-line bet on the Patriots to win had been taken.

.@WilliamHillUS tells @usatodaysports that it just took a $1 million bet on the Patriots. Money-line bet. At -180, that’d pay $555,555 if Pats win. That’s the fourth bet of a million or more on the #SuperBowl taken at William Hill.

It’s not odd that the Super Bowl attracts huge bets -- although it’s rare for so many to be above $1 million -- and lots of those bets are made on the money line (a straight-up bet) vs. the spread. While a bettor is getting 4.5 points on Philly (meaning the Eagles could lose by four or fewer points and still win a point-spread bet), the payout is equal -- minus the sportsbook's cut -- to the money wagered.

With the money line for the Eagles set at +155 as it stood on Saturday, a $1 million bet would result in a $1.55 million profit.

Bogdanovich said he expects all the sports books in Nevada to take in a record $155 million in bets before the 6:30 p.m. kickoff. The previous high to date for a Super Bowl was $138.48 million, which was wagered on last year's Super Bowl.

And a huge chunk of that so far has been bet in favor of the Eagles.

William Hill reports about 85% of the money thus far has been wagered in points spread bets on Philly and about 79% of the money line bets have been placed on the Eagles.

That kind of exposure has Bogdanovich rightfully concerned.

“There’s no question we are going to be rooting for the Patriots,” Bogdanovich said. “About 90% of the time we root against the Patriots, but we need them to win this time for sure.”

Along with the three $1 million money line-wagers, William Hill also took a $1.6 million point-spread bet on Wednesday from a bettor who picked the Eagles to cover the 4.5-point spread. The bet was placed at a William Hill sportsbook in The Bahamas.

Bogdanovich said he expected more money to be wagered on the Patriots as game time approaches.

Super Bowl III (Jets 16, Colts 7): Quarterback Joe Namath of the New York Jets hands off the football to Matt Snell during Super Bowl III on Jan. 12, 1969. Namath came through on his famous "guarantee" of a Jets upset against the heavily favored Colts. AP

Super Bowl VII (Dolphins 14, Redskins 7): Miami Dolphins' Jim Mandich takes in a Bob Griese pass near the goal line during the second quarter. The 1972 Miami Dolphins remain the NFL's only team with a perfect record (17-0). The 1948 Cleveland Browns of the AAFC also posted a 14-0 record. AP File

Super Bowl XXV (Giants 20, Bills 19): Dejected Bills kicker Scott Norwood walks off the field after missing a 47-yard field goal on the last play of the game, clinching a victory for the New York Giants. Chris O'Meara, AP

Super Bowl XXXIV (Rams 23, Titans 16): Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson tries to stretch across the goal line on the final play of the game. He is stopped by Rams linebacker Mike Jones. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

Super Bowl XXXVI (Patriots 20, Rams 17): New England Patriots' kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrates his 48-yard game-winning field goal in the final seconds against the St. Louis Rams. At left is teammate Ken Walters. Amy Sancetta, AP

Super Bowl LI (Patriots 34, Falcons 28 - OT): New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman hauls in a catch off a deflected pass that would help New England mount the largest comeback in Super Bowl history. The game also featured the first ever overtime in a Super Bowl. Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports